The clinic being built by the SDA in Sogwala
Siyabonga Sayi
GWERU – The Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) church is constructing two state-of-the-art clinics in Midlands and Masvingo provinces as part of efforts to help spread health services to disadvantaged communities.
The clinics, which are located in rural communities of Lower Gwelo and Chiredzi, are expected to open doors next month.
In an interview with TellZim News, SDA Central Zimbabwe Conference president Jothamu Manyakara said the projects were a response to the needs of the communities.
“The SDA church noticed the need for a health facility in Gatawa in Lower Gwelo, which is under Chief Sogwala and Masivamile in Chiredzi, and we decided to respond. We are constructing the clinics because it is our duty as the church to meet the people’s needs.
“We expect the clinics to be finished and become fully furnished by the end of October and to start operating in November. These clinics will emphasise prayer because we believe healing comes from God,” he said.
Manyakara said both clinics were constructed under a programme called ‘Zunde’ which combines preaching and community service.
“Through our Zunde programme, we received contributions from all our churches. Church members with building and carpentry knowledge donated their skills. The local communities were also very much involved in the projects as they assisted in various ways such as brick moulding,” said Manyakara.
Sogwala Clinic project chairperson, Mandlenkosi Moyo said locals were touched by the church’s efforts to improve their lives as they will no longer be travelling 11 km for basic medical services.
“We are happy to finally have a clinic nearby. People in our community walk about 11 km to the nearest clinic which also serves a very large number of people. We look forward to its quick completion,” he said.
Recently, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa commissioned a ward at built by the SDA and donated to Masvingo General Hospital.health
